Well shutoff device



w. E. BOYD WELL sHUToFF DEVICE Oct. 2l, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

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Filed OGL 29, 1954 Oct. 21, 1958 y w. BOYD WELL. sHUToFF DEVICE 2 SheetsfSheet 2 Filed oct. 29, 1954 United States Patent O WELL sHUroFF DEVICE Application October 29, 1954, Serial No. 465,696 11 Claims. (Cl. 16663) This invention relates to a device positioned down the hole of a well for shutting olf production from the well, and in itspreferred embodiment to a shutoi device for substantially simultaneously shutting downV production from both zones of a dual zone well.

It is frequently desirable to shut down an oil well when a hazardous or potentially hazardous condition exists at the `well head. A device which will automatically shut down the well is particularly desirable for use in offshore wells. Often a number of off-short wells are drilled from the same platform, and a hazardous condition in one well may endanger production from the other wells. Moreover, off-shore vwells are exposed to a numberl of hazards, such as vessels colliding with the wells, or high waves, to which on-shore wells are not exposed. If the hazardous condition at the offshore well is the result of a storm, the well may not be accessible While operav tion of the well is endangered and, hence, it is desirable to have a device to shut down the well, which will act automatically in response to a signal initiated by the hazardous condition.

This invention resides in a device vpositioned down the hole of an oil or gas well for shutting down the well when a hazardous or potentially hazardous condition exists at the wellfhead or within the well. The device is actuated by an explosive charge positioned in the shutolf device which severs means holding valve elements within the device in an open position. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the device simultaneously shuts down production from both zones of a dual zone well.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a fragmentary diagrammatic longitudinal sectional view of adual zone well equipped with-the shutoff device of this invention showing conventional well head connections. l

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the shutolf device of this invention in an open production `from both zones 4of the wel Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the shutoff device illustrated in Figure 2 in the closed position.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the lower end of another embodiment of this invention of the shutoi device in the closed position.

In Figure l of the drawings a dual -zone well equipped position permitting with the shutoff device of this invention is schematically illustrated having a surface casing 10 supported in a casing head hanger 12. The surface casing 10 extends downwardly into the well for a distance determined by the usual considerations in drilling, and is not limited by this invention. The surface casing -10 will ordinarily be surrounded by a Yconductor pipe, not shown, in oit-shore installations. A n production casing 14 extends downwardly into the well, within the surface casing 10, to. a position at least immediately above the upper production zone of the well. lIn the well illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings, the production casing 14 extends-to the bottom of the well and s perforated at 16 and"18 t o permit ow from the upper andlower producing zones l 2,857,003 Patented Oct. 21, 1958 CC i of the well, respectively. A casing hanger 20 mounted at the upper end of the casing head hanger 12., supports the production casing 14 within the borehole. n

Conventional well headconnections for control of the production of the well can. be employed with the shutoff device of this invention, and have been illustrated in Figure 1. A casing head 22 resting upon the casing hanger 20 and securedto the casinghead hanger 12 is provided with side outlets 24 and26 fork the discharge of production from the upper production zone. A tubing hanger 28 is supported Within the casinghead 22 at its upper end. Suspended from the tubing hanger 28 and extending down the hole to the lowerV production zone is a tubing string 30. A tubing head spool 32 mounted on the upper end of the casing head 22 is capped at its upper v end and provided with aside outlet 34 for thedischarge of production delivered through ,the tubing string 30 from g the lower zone of the well.

Forming a part of the tubing string 30 is the shutoff device of this invention indicated generally by reference numeral 36, which divides the tubing string into an upper section above the shuto device and a lower section below g through a packer 38 of conventional design .set in place l in the lower end of the casing 14 below the level of the upper production zone andV preferably just above the lower production zone. Packer 38 is provided with a cap 40 K at its lower end spring loaded toward the closed position. A perforated section 42 connected at the lower end of the tubing string 30 holds the cap 40 in the open position v during normal operation.

Referring to Figure 2 of the drawings in which the shutoff device 36 is illustrated indetail, a head member 44 at the upper end of the shutoff device has a passage 45 extending through it. Thepassage 45 is threaded at L its upper end ,fof connection to the lower end of the upper section ofthe tubing string 30, and at its lower end for connection to a tubular mandrel 46.

The head member 44 is externally threaded atA its v lower end for connection with a shell 48. A numberV of ducts 50 extend lengthwise through the head member' 44 for the transmission of annular production in the manner hereinafter described. An annular packer 52 secured to the outer surface of the head member 44 uid between the head member 44 and prevents ow of casing 14.

The shell 48 is connected at its lower end to a mandrel housing 54vinto which the lower end .of themandrel 46 extends. The ,lower end of the mandrel housing 54 is internally threaded at 56 for connection with the lower section of the tubing string 30.

Av plurality of spaced rings 58 having central openings larger than the external' diameter of the mandrel extend inwardly at intervals from the inner surface of the shell 48..

A apper valve 59 is mounted on the lower surface of each of the upper two rings in a position to move against the lower surface of those rings to close the central openings when the shutoi device of this invention is operated. A iiapper valve 60 is mounted on the upper i surface of the lowest ring 'V58 in position to swing downwardly against thatring." The flapper valves 59 and 60 are spring loadedV toward the closed position. Any desired number of rings 58 and spring loaded flapper valves can be provided, and n ,the 'embodiment of the invention illustrated inFigure 2;` three of each are 'employed. Moreover, all ofthe flapper valves Ymay be mounted on the lower surface of the rings 58, for example,

3. when the shutoi'" device is'to be used in a well in which the pressure'of the lower prodiicing zone is higher than the pressure on the upper prp'tlucing zone. The shell 48 is perforated at 61 directly below the highest ringv S8 to allow the flow fromthe upper lzone of the well to enter the shell. i

The tubular mandrel46 extends downwardly from the lower end of the passage. in theV headl member 44 through the openings in the rings S'S'beyondv the lower end of the shell 48 and into the housing. 54. Each of the fiapper valves 594 and 'Y isengaged by the mandrel 46 and held open to permit ow upward through the annular space between the rings and the outer surface ofthe mandrel.V The tubular mandrel 46 passes through apacking gland 62 at the lower. end'offthelshell 48 whichV prevents ow betweenV the housing54and the shell 48. The lower end'of the tubular mandrel is spaced above the lower end of the housingij5`4f dnringnonnaloperation to permit downward movementof the mandrelwhen the shutoldevice operates. A springf64compressed between a collar 66l on the lower end-ofV the. mandrel 46. and the lower surface ofthe packing. gland. 62 urges the mandrel downwardowardthe lower end of housing 54.

On a ring 5S"above the perforations 61 is a charge of explosive 68 The explosive may be any of the conventional explosives of high brisance, typical examples of which are TNT, Pl-TN,Y tetryl or cyclonite. It is preferred that the explosive charge 68 be in the form of a shaped charge in order toconcentrate the force of Y the explosive against thetubing mandrel 46. A suitable detonator such' as a conventional electricalblasting. cap 70 is placedv adjacent the explosive charge 68. The blasting cap 70 is connected with anelelctrical conductor 72 which extends upwardly throughV head member 44, for example by passing throughone of the ducts 50, and continues upwardly throughf the. space between the tubingl string 30 and'cas'ing 14 to the'welllhead. A suitable pressure-tight seal 74 isY provided in` the casing.

head 22 for carrying the conductor throughthe wall of the casinghead. (y A The electrical conductor is connected at thev surface to any suitable circuit for initiating."` the charge necessary to set off the detonatorv70. The circuit may be actuatedY by any of a number ofhazardous, orv potentially hazardous, conditions against whicliit-.is desirable to protect the well. For example, a oatoperated switchmay be' used to close the circuit tothe detonator 70 ir1the` event of high waves, or a pressure-actuated switchmay close the circuit in the eventof. collisionofzf someHobject-with the platform. Protectionv againstY broken` lines at` the i a diagrammatically illustratedinitiator` 78-which sends the head spoolV 32 and flows fromthe vhead spool to suitable collecting and" control equipmentfnotY shown.

Production from'the upper zone, referred toY asr thev annulus'ow, Hows through the perfor-ations.16inthecasing.

14l and then through. the annular space between the casing1'4 and the tubing string 30 upwardly, to the perforations 61 in the shell 48 The annulus flow then con- ,Y 4, tinues upwardly between the outer surface ofthe tribing mandrel 46iand`the rigs'S'SNinto thedu'cts 50' and then upwardly into the casing head 22. The production from the upper zone is discharged through outlet 24 or 26, or both, to suitable control and collecting equipment, also not shown.

When a hazardous or potentially hazardous condition arises at the well head, or when it is desired to shut down the well for other reasons, the circuit through the electrical conductor 72 is closed, thereby setting oil the detonator 70 which in tur'n sets o the explosive charge 68. In the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1, the circuit is closed by the thermostat 76 when the temperature at the well head exceeds a predetermined limit. The' explosive charge cuts the tubing mandrel 46 which is then moved downwardly into the housing' 54 by the compressed spring 66 to the position shown in Figure'3. As the upper endA of the tubing mandrel 46 moves downwardly past the spring-loaded lapper valves 59 and 60, the'valves move to the closed position illustrated in Figure 3, thereby preventing ow fromrtheY producing zones to the well head. In the embodiment illustrated ini Figure 3 in which Vapper valves 59 swingv upward, and flapper valveI 60 swings downward, to close, ow between the upper and lower producing zones is prevented, as well 'as ow from both of the'producing zones to the well Ahead. Y

The apparatus illustrated in-Figures Z and 3 of the drawings is adapted foruse in dual zone wells. The shutol device illustrated in those` drawings can also be used inwells producing fromv a single zone.

In some instances, silt or sand carried by `the oil4 by the lowervproducing zone may ll up the-space inthehousing 54 and interferewith operation of the shutoff device; The embodiment-of the inventionillustratedin `Figure 4 of the drawingsV prevents such accumulationgofr silt or sand. The lower endof the mandrel 46'extendsintofavertical sleeve 80 provided with a packing glandSZat-dts upper end. The diameter of the sleeve 80 Iis only enough larger than-the outer diameter of thel mandrel- 46` to permit the mandrelto slide in the sleeve, hencepit Oilers no opportunity for silt to build up" in the sleeve. Whenthe explosive cha'rgeis detonatedv and the mandrel severed; the lower end ofthemandrel 46 vismoveddownwardlyvim the sleeve 80V by the spring 64 tothe positionf illustrated in Figurek 4.

This invention providesa positively actuated device for shutting ott a well when continued operation of the well-may be undesirable or endanger that'vwell or other wells. Theshutoif-device may beconnectedt-o' any of a widevariety of initiating devices to'setV oif the'Y explosive When any of many possibly hazardousconditions exist at the wellhead or in the well. The explosive charge has beenillustrated'- as a ring surrounding, the' mandrel and .Y supported on one of the rings 58, butthe explosive charge may be of any shape andv mounted in any position suitable for severing the mandrel at apoint wherebymovementy ofthe mandrel by the spring will permit the flapper valves-to movetothe closed position.

What I clainr is:

1. A. sbutoideviceadapted tobe arranged inY the tubing stringof a well comprising-ashell, ahead member connectedat itslower end to the shell andat itsy upperend to the tubing string, akpassagel through the head member communicating at its upper end with the tubing. string, said shellbeing1 connectedV to the tubing.

string` atits lower end,n a'valve in the shell, said valve being loaded-to move to the closedl positionf a tubular mandrel extendinginto the'shell from the lower endI of the passagein the head member and holding the valvev in the open position, means urging the mandrel to a position remote from the valve, an explosive charge adjacent the mandrel, and an initiator for settingol the explosive charge wherebyl the mandrel is severedv and moved from engagement with the valve.

shutoi `device adapted to be arranged'in thev` tubing suing of a well comprising a shell, a head member connected at its lower end to the shell and at its upper end to the tubing string, a passage through the head member communicating at its upper end with the tubing string, a series of rings within the shell, a tubular mandrel extending from the lower end of the passage in the head member through the openings of the rings, llapper valves mounted adjacent the rings adapted to` close the central openings of the rings, said tubular mandrel positioned to hold the apper valves in the open position, a compressed spring urging the tubular mandrel downward into the shell, an explosive charge adjacent the mandrel, and an initiator for setting olic the explosive charge to sever the tubular mandrel.

3. A shutoi device adapted for arrangement in the tubing string of a well comprising a shell member connected-at its upper end and lower end to the tubing string, a tubular mandrel supported at its upper end and extending downwardly through the shell member, a ring surrounding the tubular mandrel and engaging the inner walls of the tubular member, a valve element loaded to move to the closed position to cover the opening in the ring, said tubular mandrel holding the valve element in the open position, a well extending upwardly from the bottom of the tubular member to receive the lower end of the tubular mandrel, a compressed spring urging the tubular mandrel downward in the tubular member, an explosive adjacent the tubular mandrel, and an initiator for setting olf the explosive charge to sever the mandrel whereby the mandrel is moved from engagement with the valve elements downwardly into the well.

4. Apparatus for shutting down production from a -dual zone well adapted for arrangement in the tubing :string of a dual zone well having a casing surrounding :and spaced from the tubing string and in which production from the upper zone is conducted through the annular space between the tubing string and casing and production from the lower zone is conducted through the tubing string, comprising a shell, a head member connected at its upper end to the tubing string and at its lower end to the upper end of the shell, a packer engaging the head member and casing to prevent flow therebetween, a housing connected at its upper end to the lower end of the shell and at its lower end to the tubing string, a packing gland between the housing and shell, a passage through the head member communicating at its upper end with the tubing string, a duct through the head member communicating at its upper end lwith the annular space between the tubing string and casing opening at its lower end into the shell, a tubular mandrel cornmunicating with the passage suspended at its upper end from the head member and extending downwardly through the packing gland into the housing, perforations in the shell above the packing gland, a valve element in the shell above said perforations, means urging said valve element to the closed position, said valve elements being held in the open position by the mandrel, said perforations and duct being in communication when the valve element is in the open position, means urging the mandrel downward, an explosive charge adjacent to the mandrel and an initiator for setting off the explosive charge to sever the mandrel whereby it is moved from engagement` with the valve element.

5. A shutoi device adapted for arrangement in the tubing string of a dual zone well having a tubing string vand a casing in which production from the upper zone passes through the annular space between the tubing and the casing, said shutoff device comprising a shell connected at its lower end to the tubing string, a head member connected at its upper end to the tubing string and at its lower end to the shell whereby the shell and head member form a part of the tubingstring, a packer engagng the head member and the casing preventing tiow of l,lluid therebetween, a passage through the head mem-fber communicating at its Aupper end with the tubing string, a duct through the head member communicating at its upper end with the annular space between the tubing string and casing, a packing gland positioned within the shell dividing it into an upper section and a lower section, a tubular mandrel suspended from the head member communicating ,with the passage and extending through the packing gland into the lower section, said lower section being connected to and opening into the tubing string below the shutoff device, perforations in the shell member above the packing gland to permit ilow from the annular space into kthe shell member, a ring engagingthe inner surface of the shell member above the perforations and having an opening through which the tubular mandrel passes, said opening in the ring being larger than the outer diameter of the mandrel to permit llow through the perforation to the duct, a valve element mounted adjacent the ring adapted to close the opening of the ring, means urging the valve element to the closed position, said mandrel normally ,engaging the r valve element to hold it in the open position, resilient means engaging the mandrel and urging it to .a position out of engagement with the valve element, an explosive y charge adjacent to the mandrel between the head member and the ring, and means for setting olf the explosive charge.

6. A shutoff device adapted for arrangement in thej tubing string of :a dual zone well having a tubing string and a casing in which production from the upper zone passes through the annular space between the tubing and the casing, said shutoutdevice comprising a shell connected at its lower end to the tubing string, a head member connected at its upper end to the tubing string and its lower end to the shell whereby the shell and head member form a part of the tubing string, a packer engaging the head member and the casing preventing flow n of uid therebetween, a passage through the head member communicating at its upper end with the tubing string,` la duct through the head member communicating at its upper end with the yannular space between the tubing string and casing, a packing gland positioned within the shell dividing it into an upper section and a lower section, a tubular mandrel suspended from the head member communicating with the passage and extending through the packing gland into the lower section, said lower section being connected to and opening into the tubing string below the shutol device, perforations in the shell member above the packing gland to permit flow from the annular space into the shell member, a lrst ring engaging the inner surface of the shell member above the perforations and having an opening through which the tubular mandrel passes, a second ring engaging the inner surface of the shell below the perforations andl having an opening through which the tubular mandrel passes, said openings in the rings being larger than the ,outer diameter of the mandrel to permit ow through the perforation to the duct, a valve element mounted atl each of the rings adapted to close the opening of the rings, means urging the valve elements to the closed position, said mandrel engaging the valve elements to hold it in the open position, resilient means engaging the mandrel and urging it to a position out of engagement with the valve lelement, an explosive charge adjacent to the mandrel between the head member and the rst ring, and means for setting olf-the explosive charge.

7. A shutol device adapted for arrangementin the tubing string of a dual zone well having a tubing string and a casing in which production from the upper zone passes through the annular space between the tubing* and the casing, said shutoff device comprising avshell connected at its lower end to the tubing string, a head" member connected at itsupper end to the tubing string* and 'at its lower'end to thel shell whereby the shell andq ass'rgooaf head-*memb'enform al-part of the' tubingestring-v apacking'- engaging the head member'and the casingfpreventingow ofi 'fluid therebetween, a passage-through the head meml brfc'ommunicating aty its-flipper end Iwith the tubing string;v a-ductthrough thiheadlm'ember communicating atfits upper end'iwith-theannulr spacebetween the tubing'str'in'g and casing,laapacking glandpositionedwithin the shell'dividing it-'into an upperf'sectionfand allower sect-ion;V as tubularmandrel secured atf its* upper` end'" to the head member and extending through thepacking gland'int'o-thelower/section, th'etopening in the tubular mandrel' communicating withv the passage in the head member, `said lower tsectionlbeing connectedfto andiopening into the tubingstring below; the vshutoff device, perforations inthe shellmember above the-packing gland to permit'ow from the annular Spa'Ge'intothe shell member, arst ring engagingl the innerIk surface ofl the shell member above-v the perforationsand havingan opening through whichthe tubularrmandrelpasses, asecond ring engaging the innersurface ofy the shell below theY-perforations and having' an opening through'which the" tubular mandrel passes, a third ringengagingthe innersurfacel of the shell below the perforations-`v andA74 having anL opening throughfwhiehIa4 tubular mandrel passes, said openings in the rings-being"largerthanv the outer diameter of the mandreltopermit flowfthrough the perforation to the duct, first and second valve elements mounted on the lower surface-of said ii'rst and second rings, means urging said lrst andvsecond' valveelementsupwardly toa closed I position-against the lower surface ofthe rings,- a third Valve elementfmounted'ontheuppersurface of the third ring, m'eansu'rging the-third-valve element downwardly against the upper' surface ofthe third ring to close the openingV therein, said mandrel engaging the valve elements to` hold them in an open position, resilient means engaging the mandrel and urging it to a position out of engagement with the valve elements, an explosive charge adjacent to themandrel between the head member and the first ring, and means for setting off'rthe explosive charge tosever the mandrel whereby the mandrel is movedout" of engage'mentI with they valve. elements to permit the' valve' elementsto move tothe closed positionl 8. A shutoff device adaptedA to be arranged in the tubing string of a well comprising a tubular shell having itsupper and lower ends connected` to' sections of the tubing stringfwh'ereby the shell forms apart ofthe tubing string allow-ing flow therethrough, ay valve'ele'ment in the tubular shell',l spring means' urging the valve element to a closed position adapted to prevent now through the tubing stiii'ig;l a valve seat' within the shell positioned for engag'ernen't'with the' valve element when the valve element is in the closedp'ositi'on, meansl within the shell engaging the" valveelement to v hold it in an open position duringnor'mal" operation of the well, resilient means engaging s`id`- means mounted on the shell and urging saidf means to a positionI out ofl engagement with the valve element, an explosive charge positioned adjacent the' meansholding4 the valve element in the open position vbetv'veen its attachment to the shell and its engagement with the valve element and adapted to sever the means holding the valve element to allow the valve to close, and an initiator for setting off the explosive charge whereby the means engaging the valve element is. severed and the valve` elementy closes to shut oliv the well.

9. A shutoff device adapted to be` arranged in the tubing string of a well comprising a tubular shell connected at its upper and lower ends to the tubing string to form a part ofthe tubing string, a `valve seat within the tubular shell, a valve element in the tubular shell,

resilient means engaging the valve element andV urging it toward a closed position for engagement with. the valve seat; to prevent flow through the tubing string, a mandrel attached to the shell extending into the shell to engage Llf) 8 theivalve :element tohold ittinflan open-positiony during normal operationof'. theiiwelltt-anexplosiveecharge adja-I centthefrmandrel between its attachmenttodhe shell and its l enga gementfwith the lvalve'element, an initiatorf-forsetting.' olf thei explosive char-gef wherebyl the mandrel is tubing stringof aidual zone well-'having a;.tul:ir'1g'string` and afcasing in which production from'thefupper zoney passes through the-annular space` between-1 theltubing and the casing-,I said? shutoff device comprising fa shell connected atl its-lower-v end` to the tubing string, al head member connected at its upper endtotthe-tubing"-stringl and at its lower endto-the shell whereby the-shell'A and head member form-apart of the tubing string, av packing engaging the head1n1ember andthe casing' preventingl How offiluid therebetween, a -passage'through the headmember communicating at its'upperend with the tubing string, a duct through the head member communicatingy at its upper endwith the annular space between ther tubing` string and casing, a` packing glandfpositionedwith in the shell dividing'tit into` an upper section anda-lower section, atubular mandrel secured at its upper end-tothe head member andextending through the packing gland into the lower. section, the opening in-the tubularmandrel communicating'with thet passage in the heady member, said lower; sectionbeing connected to=and openingv into the tubingV string below the shutoff` device, perforations inthe shellmember above the packing gland to permit' flow from thed annular space into the shell member, afirst ringengaging the inner surface of the shellmember above the perforations andhaving an opening through which the-tubular mandrel passes, a second ring engaging the inner surface of the shell below the perforations; andhaving an opening through which the tubular mandrel passes, a third ring engaging theinner surface of the: shell below the perforations andv having an opening through which a tubular mandrel passes, said openings in the rings being larger than the outer diameter of thel mandrel to permit li'ow through the perforation to the duct, first and second valve elements mounted on the lower surface of'said first and'second rings, means urging said? lirsti andsecrmdA valve' elements upwardly to a closed position against the lower surface of the rings, a third valve element mounted on the upper surface of the third, ring, means urging thethird valve element downwardly against they upper surface. of the third ring to close the.

opening therein, said mandrel engaging the valve elements to hold them in an open position, an explosive' charge adjacent to the mandrel between the head member and the first ring, means for settingL oli the explosivey charge to sever the mandrel and permit the valve elements to move to the closed position, and resilient means engaging'` the mandrel andl adapted to move the mandrel from engagement With the valve elements when the mandrel is severed.

11. A shutoi device adaptedv to be arranged in the.

tubing string of a Well comprising a tubular shell connected in the tubing string to form a section thereof, a valve element within the shell, .a valve seat Within the shell located for engagement with the valve element when the valve element is in the closed position, means urging the valve elementrtowards the closed positionrin which ow through the shutol device is prevented, a tubular mandrel within the shell connected for iluid communication with the tubing string, said mandrell being. secured to the shell and extending therein to engage the valve element to hold it in an open position, an explosive charge adjacent the mandrel between its attachment to the shell andV the valveV element, resilient means engaging the mandrel and urging it out of. engagement with the 9 10 valve element, and an initiator connected to set off the References Cited in the le of this patent explosive charge and sever the mandrel whereby the T v mandrel moves out of engagement with the valve element UNITED STA ES PATENTS and the valve element is moved against the valve seat 2,054,561 Greenberg Sept. 15, 1936 to shut off the well. 5 2,640,546 Baker June 2, 1953 

1. A SHUTOFF DEVICE ADAPTED TO BE ARRANGED IN THE TUBING STRING OF A WELL COMPRISING A SHELL, A HEAD MEMBER CONNECTED AT ITS LOWER END TO THE SHELL AND AT ITS 